This place wasn’t your typical bar or restaurant. It was exquisitely decorated, clean, with only a few people passing by occasionally.
Dolores was puzzled. “What kind of place is this?”
“It’s a bar,” Sampson replied, leading her towards a private room at the end of the corridor.
Dolores frowned. “I’ve rarely seen such a quiet bar.”
“This is a private bar, not open to the public, only for a select few,” Sampson explained. “That’s why it’s so peaceful here.”
“Oh, I see.”
They reached the private room in no time, and Sampson pushed the door open. The room was spacious but somewhat dull, illuminated by warm yellow lights. At the back, a black leather sofa beckoned. In the front, there was a round table adorned with two bottles of red wine and two glasses.
Dolores glanced at Sampson. “Did you plan this in advance?”
Sampson hesitated for a moment but then replied casually, “I’m a VIP guest here, and this is my reserved private room. I even stored the wine here.”
Dolores stepped into the room. “I remember you didn’t like drinking wine.”
Sampson stood by the door, his gaze fixed on Dolores’ slender figure, lost in a momentary trance. “People change, don’t they? I’m human too, with emotions and desires. I can feel heartbroken when I fall in love with someone I can’t have.”
His words carried an underlying tone.
Dolores caught the meaning behind Sampson’s words.
She pretended nonchalance as she glanced around the room, lightly touching the lampshade, tapping the wine bottle, and playing with the goblet. “In this world, countless people cross paths, but not all of them are meant to be. They say, ‘If it’s meant to be, it will be.'”
Sampson looked down and smiled. “You always have a way with words, never giving me a chance. Do you have no respect for your elders?”
Dolores turned around, smiling at him. “You’re not old. To me, you’ll always be the one wearing a white coat with glasses, always inquiring about Jeremy’s condition. You’ve always taken care of me like a big brother. I remember it all.”
Sampson opened the wine and poured it into the glasses. “Let’s not dwell on the past.”
He feared that his heart would soften, and he wouldn’t be able to proceed.
However, without sacrificing Dolores, Maria Herbert and Matthew Nelson would never be together. And their marriage wouldn’t secure a promising future for the Herbert family.
Sampson filled two glasses with wine. “Stop wandering around. Come, let’s have a drink.”
Dolores sat on the sofa, holding the glass of wine that Sampson had poured for her. It had a vibrant red color and a rich aroma. It was a fine red wine. Sampson held his own glass and clinked it against hers, producing a crisp sound. “Let’s enjoy ourselves tonight.”
“I’m not much of a drinker. I can’t get too drunk with you. I need to return home early. Simona can’t be left alone.” It was always Dolores who put Simona Flores to bed. Without Dolores at night, it might disturb Jessica Lennon.
Sampson didn’t respond but lifted his head, downing his wine.
He held his empty glass and showed it to Dolores. “I finished mine. Now it’s your turn.”
Dolores had no choice but to drink.
Red wine felt different from white wine, which burned going down. Red wine was smoother, and she didn’t feel uncomfortable with it.
Sampson poured her another glass. “This is the first time the two of us are drinking wine in such a quiet place.”
“Mm,” Dolores murmured, her gaze fixed on Sampson as he poured the wine. Her vision began to blur, and she blinked, saying, “Yes, but this wine is quite strong.”
Sampson looked at her and asked, “Is it?”
“Yes,” Dolores replied, feeling dizzy.
“Is that your excuse for not wanting to drink with me?” Sampson asked deliberately.
“No, no,” Dolores said, rubbing her forehead. The dizziness didn’t subside; instead, it worsened.
Sampson handed her a glass filled with wine. “Don’t try to deceive me. You said you’d accompany me and drink.”
Dolores tried to open her eyes to look at Sampson, but her vision remained blurry.
Under Sampson’s urging, she drank another glass.
Sampson continued to pour more wine for her.
“I can’t handle any more. I’m really getting drunk. I need to leave now. Samuel and Simona are still waiting for me at home,” Dolores said as she stood up. She took a few steps but lost consciousness completely, falling to the ground.
Sampson remained seated on the sofa, observing the entire scene. He knew Dolores wouldn’t be able to leave the room.
He finished his wine, placing the glass down. Then he stood up, lifted Dolores, who had fainted, and laid her on the sofa.
She was slim and light, requiring little effort on Sampson’s part.
He settled Dolores and sat beside her, gently stroking her hair. “Don’t blame me. You’re the one who forced me to do this.”
It was all planned before they arrived.
Yet, he still lacked confidence in carrying it out. He was coerced into this situation by Maria Herbert.
But after hearing Dolores’ words, he no longer hesitated.
He tenderly caressed her face. “You don’t even care about me anymore. Why should I care about you?”
Dolores had lost consciousness and couldn’t hear his words.
Sampson unbuttoned her clothes one by one, exposing her fair and smooth skin. He trailed his fingers across her cheek, her neck…
He swallowed hard.
“I know you’ll despise me when you wake up. I have no other choice. I added chemicals to the mineral water I gave you. There’s no turning back now, for either of us.” The mineral water contained a substance that increased stomach movement, while the red wine had an extremely high alcohol content. Consumed together, they would easily induce a coma.
Even if someone discovered the truth, they would simply assume she was drunk.
Dolores’ blouse was untied, revealing a black brassiere encasing her full, round breasts. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, undeniably tempting.
Her stomach was flat, with a few faint stretch marks below her navel, reminders of when she carried Samuel and Simona.
Both children were born small, so the stretch marks were hardly noticeable-unlike terrifying tiger stripes. Hers were paler, not unpleasant to look at, and even somewhat alluring.
Sampson’s large hand caressed Dolores’ belly. “Maria said that women are emotional creatures. They develop feelings for the first man they sleep with. If you were to find out that man was Matthew Nelson, would you fall in love with him?”
“Nope, you’ve moved on, haven’t you?” Sampson lowered his head, a deep chuckle escaping his lips. “When Matthew saw you, he called off his engagement to Maria. Yet, you hesitated to return. It was only after meeting Matthew that you came back. Was it for him?”
Matthew leaned in and kissed Dolores’ lips. “This is the first time I’ve kissed you, and you didn’t refuse me.”
Whenever Sampson tried to kiss Dolores, she would reject him at that critical moment.
He knew Dolores resisted him because she disliked him, even if she agreed reluctantly. Her body, too, resisted his advances.
Sampson whispered in her ear, “Perhaps Maria was right. Even if you didn’t consciously know it was Matthew, the fact that you had a physical encounter with him would create feelings, even if they were subconscious.”
“But what if we were to do the same? Would you develop feelings for me too, Lola…”
As Sampson spoke, he unbuttoned her pants and pulled down the zipper.